RYANN, Gay Struggles | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 54^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight the song, “Gay Struggles” performed by RYANN. 

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E 🏳️‍🌈! Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musician(s) and analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome while the songs can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the 54^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight “Gay Struggles” performed by RYANN.

“I want to live in a town filled with Troye and Olivia fans / ‘Cause I’m afraid to hold my boyfriend’s hand when I go on the streets.”  Fear is a terrible thing.  Unfortunately, it is part of the struggles that Dutch queer pop singer/songwriter RYANN (Ryan Adriaens) sings about in “Gay Struggles”.  He adds that he doesn’t want to get too close to male friends because they may think he has a crush on them.  The internalized homophobia is pronounced, making “Gay Struggles” a heavy but relatable listen. Adriaens has settled for less when he shouldn’t have to.  He’s grateful to love a boy, but he still feels trapped as a gay male.

“These struggles shouldn’t exist

All my life I was trained to kill the person that I was born to be

I don’t allow myself to have some fun ‘cause I don’t even know what I, what I truly want.”

Sad, but true for many LGBTQ+ individuals.  Being able to love the same sex is a win, but, the perks that heterosexual couples have aren’t always afforded to queer couples. Straight men can move differently than gay men. Beyond the chorus, which RYANN sings exquisitely, he offers more struggles.  The fear of wearing an earring.  Worrying what others, including friends think.  He wants to live out and proud, but it’s hard not to worry “about what other people think… when all I see are couples on the news getting punished for who they really are.”  It should be fine to kiss his boyfriend in the street but, “I feel like I’m not allowed.” “Gay Struggles” is a beautiful, moving pop ballad by RYANN.  This is a song not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for everyone.  No one should be persecuted or treated badly just because of who they love or living true to themselves.  This youngster from The Netherlands with an incredible voice outdid himself on this song.  Bravo!

RYANN // “Gay Struggles” // RYANN // 2024

RYANN, Gay Struggles: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 54 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; RYANN; Elias Souza, Los Muertos Crew from Pexels; CatsWithGlasses, David, Maicon Fonseca Zanco, Square Frog, Sudo from Pixabay]